Vets 'pop' hedgehog to save its life

Vets had to save a hedgehog by popping it after it ballooned to the size of a football.

A woman found the hugely inflated hog, nicknamed Michelin, curled up on her driveway and became worried because it was unable to move.

She managed to pick up the prickly creature and took him to a nearby animal rescue centre where experts deflated him.



The unusual condition which caused Michelin to swell with air is called "ballooning".
It is caused by air escaping from the hedgehog's lungs and being trapped underneath its skin. This causes the animal to gradually inflate until it is disproportionably large.

Wildlife Aid spokeswoman Becky Banning said: "It's basically a bit like popping a balloon.

"The air escaped with a loud 'phfwooooft' noise and within three hours he was back to his normal size."